French authorities have granted Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, temporary permission to leave France, easing his obligations amid an investigation into alleged criminal activities on the messaging platform, as reported by the French news agency AFP on Saturday.
Durov was detained at an airport near Paris last August and subsequently placed under formal investigation, which included a travel ban preventing him from leaving France.
This investigation has further strained relations between Paris and Moscow in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and has sparked discussions regarding the limits of free speech and law enforcement on digital platforms.
An investigating judge has allowed Durov to exit France for several weeks, and it is believed he departed for Dubai on Saturday morning, according to unnamed sources cited by AFP.
The Paris prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Last year, French prosecutors indicated that they suspect Durov of being complicit in operating an online platform that facilitates various illegal activities, including drug trafficking and money laundering.
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Additionally, Durov was required to post bail amounting to 5 million euros (approximately $5.4 million).
Being placed under formal investigation in France does not equate to guilt or guarantee a trial; rather, it signifies that judges believe there is sufficient evidence to continue the investigation.
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